'Australian republic inevitable'

It is only a matter of time before Australia becomes a republic, veteran British broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson says.

The period after Queen Elizabeth II either dies or abdicates would be an "acceptable" time for the nation to formally sever ties with the British royal family, he added.

"Why should Australia not be a republic? It's its own country, its own man," Parkinson said on Monday.

"I find it, in a sense, incomprehensible that it's not that now."

"My own guess would be that whenever anything happens to the present queen, that would be the time when Australia, with great delicacy ... will do it.

"I think that would be acceptable and understood by everybody."

Parkinson, affectionately known simply as "Parky", was speaking to reporters in Sydney after becoming the first foreigner to deliver the annual Australia Day address in its 15-year history.

The Yorkshireman is no stranger to the British establishment, having been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Prince Charles in 2000 and given a knighthood in 2008.

In his speech he joked that Australia's republican movement should adopt songs invented by England's raucous cricket fans, the Barmy Army.

"The Barmy Army taunts you by singing to the tune of Yellow Submarine, `Your next queen is Camilla Parker Bowles'," he continued.

"The Australian republican movement could do worse than sign the Barmy Army and its song book to provide the soundtrack to their next campaign for change.

"And change there will be, the only question is when."

A referendum on republicanism was held in Australia in 1999, with proposals for presidential rule defeated.

The current prime minister Julia Gillard has previously said Australia should consider the issue of republicanism at the next change of monarch.

Prince William is the latest member of the British royal family to visit Australia, completing a tour in 2010.